Ice Cream = Miracle Food! #kidsbehavior #kidsloveicecream #raisingkids

“Belonging starts when a child sees herself as the hero.” What kind of hero does your reader love most: quiet and clever, bold and brave, or funny and chaotic? 😊 #reading #kidlit #kidsbooks #kidsreading #childrensbooks #booksky

Gathering clues in a mystery book helps kids develop their observation skills! #kidsbooks #mysterybooks #kidlit #childrensbooks

Just 30 days until the NW Book Fair & Media Fest at Clark College in Vancouver, WA on June 27th! I'll have my prize wheel with free spins for kids. Check out the poster below for all the bookish activities. Join us for a FREE day of fun for your whole family. #NWBookfair #booksky #kidlit

Simple writing tool that helps kids finish stories: “Because of that…” chain. Write 1 sentence: “Something happens.” Add: “Because of that…” Add: “Because of that…” again. It teaches cause-and-effect without making writing feel like homework. #WritingForKids #CreativeWriting

Mystery+fantasy=the perfect combo for curious kids. If your reader likes: clues hidden in plain sight twisty questions magical worlds with secrets Keep an eye on Ping’s Mystery in Pixiandria. It’s perfect for kids who love wondering, guessing, solving, & funny faery protagonists. #kidlit #booksky

The toughest battles are often the ones no one else can see. Dragons teach us that facing our inner fire is how we discover our strength. Keep going. Your courage is showing. #dragonwisdom #dragons #courage #CourageOverFear #InnerBattle

Here’s a simple way to help kids remember what they read: The 3-Beat Recap After a reading session, ask: 1) What changed? 2) What surprised you? 3) What do you think will happen next? It works with any story, but it's perfect for mystery stories! #reading #kidlit #childrensbooks #booksky

Great Advice!

In the Chronicles of Nadavir series, Frigg travels with friends: * Tip elf (steadfast+sharp) * Ping faery (mischief+heart) * Cricall unicorn (bold protector) * Glimmer glowworm (tiny light, huge impact) Which friend would your child relate to most? #kidsbooks #fantasy #kidlit #booksky

Let’s talk about a fantasy trope “found family” that's perfect for middle grade: • Kids see friendship as a superpower • Each character brings a different strength • Conflict can stay exciting without getting too dark #Kidsfantasybooks #foundfamily #fantasybooks #kidlit #kidsbooks #childrensbooks

I've been writing a lot of short stories lately. Whether it's going back to my roots or a procrastination technique for delaying completion of my next novel, I can't say. But I've discovered some stages I go through for each story. debcushmanwriter.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-... #writing #shortstories

A quick bookish challenge: ask your child/student to invent a fantasy setting in 3 sentences: Where are we? What’s the danger? What magical helper shows up? #creativewritingforkids #kidsimagination #middlegradefantasy #familyactivity #classroomactivity #kidlit #parents #teachers

Some of the best fantasy moments aren’t spells—they’re discoveries. If your child loves mysteries tucked inside magical adventures, tell me: do they prefer puzzles or battles? #KidsBooks #MiddleGradeFantasy #MysteryBooks #FantasyReads #RaisingReaders #kidlit #Booksky

Can you relate? #disappointed

“Reading grows quietly—one page today, a confident kid tomorrow.” Do you have a reluctant reader? Try this: "I read a page. You read a page. We read a page together." #reading #readmorebooks #KidsReading #kidsbooks #kidlit #booksky

Mysterious or Spooky? Do you find fog fascinating?

When your child picks a fantasy book, what hooks them fastest? A) Magical creatures B) A brave kid hero C) A mysterious map/quest D) Funny sidekicks E) A big secret I'm curious what pulls readers in. #parentsofreaders #middlegradebooks #fantasyforkids #kidsreading #kidsbooks

Your kids can create a Fantasy Realm Passport with FREE templates for crafting their own "official" document. Sign up for my newsletter on my website at the link on the graphic below to enjoy access to 59+ FREE activities! #kidsactivities #kidsbooks #childrensactivities

Meet Frigg, a dwarf who refuses to be stuck at home. When trolls attack her colony, she leads an unlikely band of friends across dangerous lands to save her people. Adventure, friendship, & heart for middle-grade readers. #MiddleGradeFantasy #ChildrensBooks #AdventureReads #booksky #kidlit

KEEP KIDS BUSY SO YOU ENJOY MOTHER’S DAY! Pixie Passport: 2 sheets of paper, stapler, crayons/colored pencils, stapler Fold papers & staple Draw picture on cover Pages: Name, age, symbol- royal crest, list 3 rules of the kingdom, places to visit. #KidsCrafts #kidlit #KidsActivities #MothersDay

Adventure can be IN the book or even WHERE they read! Where do your kids read most often: bed, couch, car, library corner, or somewhere surprising? If a kid's favorite reading place is comfortable and inviting, they will tend to linger there longer. #reading #kidsbooks #kidlit #booksky

You’ve probably seen how quickly screens can crowd out reading for kids. Make reading a family habit. Try this: • Everyone picks a book (even grown-ups) • Set a 12-minute timer • When it ends, share ONE interesting thing you read No pressure. No book reports. Just curiosity. #reading #kidlit

A child doesn’t need a moral. She needs a door. When I think about fantasy for middle-grade readers, I think about doors. A door into: - courage that feels possible - friendship that survives conflict - a world with rules that make sense (even when it’s magical) #kidsbooks #Writing #kidlit #Booksky

Create a “mystery stack.” Wrap 3–5 books in paper, write 3 clues on each. Ex: Secret identity, Found family, Magic + danger Kids LOVE choosing with clues. If you made a mystery stack for an age 8–12 reader today, what 3 clues would you put on the wrapper? #reading #kidsbooks #kidlit #booksky

Character type kids adore: “tiny but mighty” friend: • notices what others miss • brings humor • offers light (sometimes literally!) Glimmer the glowworm is that kind of friend. He plays a BIG part in my middle-grade fantasy, *Frigg’s Journey to Anasgar*. Website link in graphic. #booksky #kidlit

Educators: when you read aloud, do you stop for predictions or let the suspense run? Parents: same question at bedtime. What keeps your kids most hooked—pauses or pure speed? #reading #readingtime #kidsbooks #childrensbooks #kidlit

A child who finds the right book finds a new way to be brave. If your child is looking for a book with a protagonist who needs to find her courage, check out *Frigg's Journey to Anasgar* (website link in comments) #reading #kidsbooks #kidlit #middlegradefiction

Do you set reading goals? #reading #kidsbooks

Beautiful days ahead. Happy May Day!

Opens up a whole new world!

There’s room for everyone at the writing table, no matter how you draft, plan, or create. “You do you” might be the best writing advice out there. Your process is valid if it leads to a story that resonates. When your story finds its people, the magic is real. #writing #writingtips

Are you taking your family on an epic quest this summer? If not, read an unforgettable epic fantasy together. #reading #fantasy

Today is World Book Day! You'll find new worlds, bold heroes, and twisty plots in the books offered in our group promotion! Dive in and see what grabs you. storyoriginapp.com/to/PfQ1NjT #booksky #kidlit #kidsbooks #childrensbooks #middlegradebooks

For National Poetry Month, here’s A Totally Serious, Extremely Scientific Breakdown for Writing a Poem. #poetry #writingpoetry #NationalPoetryMonth debcushmanwriter.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-...

Libraries are my happy place!

When you love your work, it feels a bit like discovering a hidden door in the forest. The ordinary becomes enchanted. Here’s to finding the work that lights you up from the inside.

Remember when I suggested you do this? Did you do it? If not, there's still time to mark your calendar so you don't miss out! 🥰

Spotting a rainbow across the horizon after a storm is a thrill deep in my fantasy-writer soul. #rainbow #fantasy

I got the original inspiration for my middle grade fantasy novel Frigg’s Journey to Anasgar from a dream. Have you ever acted on a dream you just couldn’t get out of your thoughts? #kidlit #kidsbooks #dreaminspiration

New FREE Activity in the Nadavir Kids Club! Kids are invited on a magical reading adventure. Complete the quests to earn their place among the story-keepers of the 9 realms. Sign up for my newsletter at the link on the graphic below to join the fun! #kidsactivities #kidsbooks #kidlit

Ping’s faery rule #12: Get outside and fly with the birds whenever possible! Have you flown with the birds lately? Isn’t it about time you started? #middlegradenovel #reading #flying #kidlit storyoriginapp.com/universalboo...

Kids got talent!

Have you written a poem today? You know you want to! #poetry #NationalPoetryMonth

Frigg, Ping, Tip, and Cricall wish you a joyful Easter! #Easter

So many stories, one cozy place to discover them. Browse these selections and find the book that feels perfect for your kids. Go here to find the great books: storyoriginapp.com/to/4lJ4O5e #reading #kidlit #kidsbooks #childrensbooks #Booksky

I’ve discovered that some days determination feels like a roaring dragon, & other days it’s more like a sleepy house cat. Either way, showing up for yourself counts. Every tiny choice, every “okay, let’s try again,” stacks up until you end the day with that quiet, satisfied glow.

Join the fairies in a wildflower dance. Rest your wings, then dance again! #fairies #fantasy #fantasybooks

Fantasy gives us permission to stretch beyond the edges of what we know. It insists that wonder is not childish but courageous. When we let our hearts believe, our minds discover enrichment that inspires our progress in this life. #fantasy #reading #fantasybooks #kidlit #books #Booksky

I'm so excited to be participating in this wonderful Authors Fair in Silverton, OR, on Sat, Apr 4th! I'll be giving a presentation at 3 pm on Creating a Reading Community for Kids & Parents! Silverton is the home of The Oregon Garden. Mark your calendar for a day of family fun! #authorfair #reading